Mutual Savings Banks

A saving bank owned by its depositors. They are mostly located in the northwestern United States and are an important supplier of real estate financing. All mutual savings banks are state chartered and typically are less regulated than their closest financing relative, the savings and loan association. The percentage of their assets invested in real estate mortgages is less than the average S&L, although a higher percentage of their total mortgage portfolio is FHA and VA loans. Most mutual banks have a relatively large percentage of mortgages. Mutual banks also make personal loans which can result in capital being moved from surplus areas to deficit areas. Over two-third of the mutual banks maintain membership in the FDIC. The remaining ones are insured by state savings insurance agencies. These state agencies exercise authority over both type of investments and amount of their assets mutual banks can invest in particular types of real estate.